Signal for moving-picture reels.



H. L. MILLER.

SIGNAL FOR movms PICTURE HEELS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 25| 1915- 1 1,214,208, Patented Jan. 30, 1917 F; FE' 'E anoznn" the reel 16.

Application filed June 25, 1915.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY L. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signals for Moving-Picture Reels. of which the following: is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved signal which is used in connection with the reel of a moving picture machine and the principal objectof the invention is to provide a. signal so constructed as towarn the operator whenthe reel is almost emptiedv of the film wound thereon thus permitting the operator of a. second machine to get ready to show up his machine. By use of this device the curtain will never be left blank as the operator of the second machine will get his machine ready for use as soon as the signal is given and can immediately start operation when the reel of the first machine is completely unwound.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device so constructed as to permit it to be easily connected with machine already in use.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device wi'iich is so constructed that the contact pin carried by the movabic stem will be sure to enter the opening carrying the contact point or block with which the sta tionary contact is connected.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide means for rcleasably holding the stem in a raised position when putting a new reel or film in place.

This invention is illustrated in the accom panving drawings. wherein Figure 1 is a sectional view showing the signal in place and with the stein resting; upon a filled reel.

Fig. 2 a. view simiiar to Fig. 1 showing the stem lowered to bring the contact carried by the stem into engagement'with the contact block of the station ary contact member. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 1 with the stern shown in elevation.

' The housing; or tube id of this signal in which the stem 11 is slidably mounted is provided with an enlarged base 12 having a flange 13 through which the bolts or fasteners 14 pass to connect the housing with the box 1.5 in which is'rotatablv mounted This stem 11 is provided. at its lower end with a harp 17 which is con- Snecificaticn of Letters Patent.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY LOUIS MILLER, 0F PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA.

SIGNAL FOR MOVING-PICTURE HEELS.

Serial No. 36,385.

structed somewhat similar to a trolley harp and carries rollers '18 which rest upon the film 19 wound upon the reel- Therefore the reei can turn readily withthe stem gradually moving downwardly as the film is un rolled. A, latch 20 is secured to the tube or housing and. is adapted to pass through the opening in the housing to -fit into the notch or cutout 22 of the stem thus permitting the stem to be rcleasably held in a raised position while putting in a new reel or film. After the reel is in place the latch Patented Jan. 30, 191 '7 can be moved to the position shown in Figs.

1 and2 thus releasing the stem. and permitging itto drop into engagement with the At one side of the base 12 :there is provided a block 23 which is formed of insulating material and is provided with a passageway 24 permitting access to a contact point or block 25 embedded in the insulating block 23. This block 23 is held in place block 23 to engage the point 25 and therefore when the pin is in the position shown in Fig. 2 current can pass from one pin to the other through the block 25. V

The battery 31 which forms the source of power for the signal is connected withthe contact point 27 by means of the wire 32 and connected with the switch 33 by is i means of the wire 34.. The wire 35 which I leadstrom the contact pin 30 audwire 36 which leads from the switch 33 are con-'"' nected with the signal 37 which Will be a light but which may be any other type de-- sired. From an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 it will readily be seen that when the device is in the position shown in Fig. 1 the circuit I will be broken and the light will not be illuminated and that when the device is in the position shown in Fig. 2 thecircuit will be closed and the light illuminated. It will also be seen that after the light has been illuminated the switch can be opened thus breaking the circuit and preventing the electricity from being wasted.

When putting this device in plan it is simply necessary to form an opening in the top of the usual film box to permit the stem 11 andharp 17 to pass through the same and to then secure the housing 10 and block 23 to the film box. The connection for the battery and signal can then be easily made and the device is ready for use. The rollers will rest upon the film and as the film is unwound from the upper reel onto the lower one, which does not need to be shown, the stem will move downward until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position the signal light will be illuminated thus indicating to the operator of the second ma chine that it is time to get his machine ready for use.

It will be seen that this device is very simple in construction but that it will be very effective inuoperation and that it will not easily get out of order or need repair. It wf ll be further noted that this stem 11 b v having its rollers rest upon the film will to a certain extent act as means for preventing the film from'running loose upon the reel and therefore it will serve as brake means for the film.

What is claimed is 1'. A device of the character described comprising a tubular housing having an attachingbase and provided witha longitudinally extending slot, a stem slidably mounted in said housing, a harp connected with the lower end of said stem,'rollers carried by said harp, anv insulating block tact pin embedded in said block and contacting with said contact point, an arm extending from said stem through the slot in said housing, and a contact pin carried by said arm and. passing through the passage way of said block to contact with said contact point. v

2. A- evice of the character described comprising a housing provided with a longitudinally extending slot, a stem s1id ably mounted in said housing, a roller connected with the lower end of said stem, a contact point insulated from said. housing, a stationary contact pin engaging said contact point, an arm extending from said stein through the slot in said housing, and a contact pin carried by said arm to engage said contact point.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence'of two witnesses. I

- HARRY LOUIS MILLER.

Witnesses:

R. F. SCHMIDT, A. WARASHIS. 

